Gambling Facts

Gambling and Electronic Gambling Machines (EGMs)

Legal gambling in Victoria includes sports betting, racing, lotteries, keno, lotto, electronic gambling machines (EGMs or ‘pokies’) and the Casino. 

Among them, EGMs in particular, account for nearly half of all legal gambling losses and most problems, as they are widely accessible and provide people with the means to gamble continuously. 

Currently, 928 EGMs operate at 14 clubs and hotels within Greater Dandenong – the fifth highest number among the Victorian municipalities. Under State Government regulations, 989 EGMs are permitted to operate in this municipality. This means that 61 more may be installed in local venues before the cap is reached. 

Electronic Gambling Machine Losses

In 2024-25, $141 million was lost to EGMs in Greater Dandenong - an average of $387,000 each day, and equal to the cost of adequately feeding 46,500 children for one year. 

These gambling losses were equivalent to $1,077 per adult – the second highest rate of losses per adult in Victoria, nearly twice the metropolitan level of $581 per adult. Indeed, gambling losses tend to be highest among residents of lower-income communities such as Greater Dandenong and others, with the result that the burden of gambling losses falls largely upon communities, families and individuals who can least afford them.

Since the introduction of EGMs in Victoria in 1992, $4.9 billion has been lost to gambling machines in Greater Dandenong alone (in 2025 dollars).

In addition to EGM losses, an estimated $205 million is lost each year by Greater Dandenong residents to other legal forms of gambling, bringing total annual gambling losses to approximately $346 million or an average of $2,641 per adult.

Sports Betting

The rising popularity of sports betting holds further concern for local governments, particularly due to the role it plays in consolidating gambling practices among young adults. 

The development of internet technology and increasing access to smart phones, coupled with a proliferation of gambling operators and pervasive advertising, have contributed to a rise in sports betting in recent years. For many the result is an intensive and continuous experience available at any place or time of day, with the result that a growing number of young people, especially in sporting environments, are adopting gambling as a regular source of recreation. 

Causes of Gambling Problems

Many people gamble to ease boredom or depression, others may be vulnerable due to mental ill-health, and some are swayed by unrealistic expectations of winning. In addition, EGMs are designed to deceive patrons and entice them to lose money, while venues are appealing to many lonely people.

Harm from Gambling

Gamblers often experience some level of harm from gambling, particularly those who persistently loses more money than they can comfortably afford. Consequences often include financial hardship, poverty, personal stress, family conflict and violence, deceptive actions to obtain money, distraction from work responsibilities, and even homelessness.

Read more information

Statistics about gambling losses, Electronic Gambling Machine numbers and others, for all municipalities - 240.9KB

Report about Gambling Issues for Local Government - 2.1MB